Page 75 of Miss Ashbury and the Anatomy of Mending a Heart

“I’ve suggested she make a game of it.” Dahlia leaned forward to pour tea on behalf of her sister. “That she should call for him and time his response with the mantle clock.”

Candace selected a tiny scone from the tiered server. “Be careful in playing games with my brother, Dahlia. He has no qualms about playing them back. I speak from experience.”

“A pity it’s far too cold to be in the gardens,” Adelaide said. “They’re still so lovely, even though all the blooms have gone.”

“The grounds are beautiful,” Dahlia agreed. “I’m so glad I came in time to explore them while the weather was still nice.”

“Percy and I can’t claim any credit for how wonderful the view is—that’s all thanks to Candace.”

“Vera helped,” Candace said.

“Hardly.” Vera smiled. “You’re only being charitable. It’s true I planted some bulbs, once, but past that one small tuft of tulips, I can’t share in any accolades at all.”

“The tulips were stunning.” Adelaide’s eyes were wide with sincerity. “Simply lovely.”

Vera nodded her thanks as Candace hid a smile behind her gold-rimmed teacup. “Have you refurbished the nursery yet?”

Adelaide looked heavenwards as Dahlia snickered. “Percy has taken management of that room firmly in hand. He won’t let me so much as adjust the arrangement of the room without his assistance.”

“You were trying to move the bassinet from one side of the room to the other.” Dahlia shook her head. “Even I thought it was foolhardy.”

“I’m with child, not an invalid.”

“It’s probably for the best,” Candace said. “Percy is always better behaved if he has a project. The last project he took on was wooing you.”

Dahlia grinned. “Indeed. The nursery is just a reasonable byproduct of those efforts, so it’s understandable that he feels some ownership over that as well.”

“I suppose I should be shocked that my unmarried sister speaks candidly about such things.”

“I may live in the city now, but I grew up on a farm.”

“How was London when you left it?” Candace asked, her green eyes round and guileless. “Have you seen any mutual friends lately? Daisy Knope, perhaps?”

Dahlia’s smile widened. “She’s been markedly engaged in the social whirl. Rumor has it she’s planning a grand voyage to America at the end of the year in search of a wealthy husband. Apparently gentlemen there aren’t as finicky about broken engagements.”

“Gentlemen there aren’t even gentlemen,” Adelaide said.

Dahlia canted her head. “I’m not sure it’s such a bad idea. I think more young ladies might have a chance at happiness if they were willing to take such a trip.”

Adelaide blinked. “Certainly you aren’t considering such measures.”

Candace laughed. “Why on earth would she need to? She’s had—how many proposals by this point?”

Dahlia sniffed. “It would be gauche to keep count.”

“A baker’s dozen, last I’d heard.”

“It hardly matters, as none of them were proposals worth accepting.”

“What are you looking for in a husband?” Candace tilted her head.

“She has a list.” Adelaide wagged her eyebrows.

“I hardly think that’s any of your business, as it’s my list.”

Adelaide’s eyes narrowed. “One wonders what could be on the list, if Lord Stanley didn’t make the cut. He’s wealthy, titled, and very handsome.”

Candace tilted her head. “Perhaps a full head of hair is on her list.”